De aanbidding der herders before 1608

"De aanbidding der herders" (The Adoration of the Shepherds) is a pen and wash drawing created by the German artist Hans Rottenhammer before 1608. The drawing, which is currently housed at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, depicts the biblical event of the shepherds' visit to the newborn Jesus, focusing on the adoration and awe of the moment. The artist utilizes a light, almost transparent wash to render the figures, creating a sense of ethereal beauty and emphasizing the divine nature of the event. Rottenhammer's use of light and shadow also draws attention to the central figure of Jesus, making the moment even more poignant.